Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Davis.
Ashley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The passion to protect children was birthed from a painful place. As an adolescent, both parents struggled with addictions, which contributed to the neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse I experienced. It was only a matter of time before I was removed from my biological family and placed in foster care and ultimately adopted. It was a very difficult transition. I was adopted by a Pastor and his wife around the age of 8. After being a part of their family for a few years, my adoptive father violated my innocence and sexually abused me from the age of 12-19 years old. I decided at 19 years old, to run away. I packed one small bag, left and never returned. It took me 10 years to boldly disclose my experiences. In 2015, I decided to disclose and help others find their voice. A week after I spoke out, my father was found dead in his home, due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. His death is documented as an accident but that is not what I believe. Since making the brave choice to disclose, I’ve been diligently fighting and advocating for other victims and survivors. I now use my story of resilience to inspire others to fight for their freedom and healing. I recently accepted the Director of Partnerships position with Darkness to Light, an international non-profit that empowers adults to prevent child sexual abuse. My experiences have created a place just for me.
Has it been a smooth road?
Have you ever tried to disrupt a social problem that most people can’t even think about-let alone talk about? Most adults are terrified to talk about protecting children from sexual abuse, or they don’t know how. We are programmed to avoid the topic This innate, yet understandable, aversion contributes to the stigma and silence that enables abuse in the first place. Even in the age of #MeToo and #ChurchToo, where so many of the brave victims experienced their abuse as children, we have not reached the same societal fervor in demanding solutions for children. It has been an uphill battle. Disclosure can be risky because can’t predict how others will respond. You don’t know if your friends, family and community will be supportive or if they’ll choose to disconnect. In my experience, I lost a lot of family and friends as a result of my disclosure. Many people sent me hateful messages, and some even tried to minimize my experiences by telling me it could’ve been worse. Ignorance knows no bounds and people get courageous behind a keyboard. I have tough skin, and I’ve learned how to take punches, but I shouldn’t have to. No one should have to. When I engage with churches and other religious organizations, to implement a CSA prevention training, often times, I’m met with reluctancy or a swift decline. Many churches refuse to believe that CSA is happening in their community. Another barrier that I have encountered is getting the African-American community to talk about it. The “what goes on in our house, stays in our house” mindset has allowed CSA to become a generational cycle. When we overlook or deny a child’s experience of sexual abuse, we are telling them that their experiences are not valid or important enough to be address. The child feels unprotected while the abuser is empowered to continue abusing. According to Darkness to Light, about 90% of children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser. Only 10% of sexually abused children are abused by a stranger. Statistics will show that about 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. About one in seven girls and one in 25 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18. It’s un unfortunate reality.
I would’ve loved a more positive response to my CSA disclosure but I can’t control how others respond. I can’t even control how people treat me, but I can control how I use my experience. I chose to take the risk and use my life as a tool to help others heal. One of the many ways I help others is by sharing my story. I wrote a book called, Defiant Girl and it empowers others CSA victims and survivors to find their voice.
Tell us more about the organization.
Darkness to Light is an international non-profit that empowers adults to prevent child sexual abuse. Our work is guided by the vision of a world free from child sexual abuse, where children can grow up happy, healthy and safe.
We know that prevention is possible, and we believe that it is an adult responsibility to protect children. As Director of Partnerships for Darkness to Light, With education and training, most abuse can be prevented or interrupted. Darkness to Light offers training that specializes in the prevention of child sexual abuse, other forms of abuse, and mandated reporting. I’m most proud of the fact that we have successfully trained nearly 2 million adults worldwide on sexual abuse prevention. This year we will celebrate 20 years of preventing child sexual abuse. As the Director of Partnerships, it’s my privilege to lead and execute partnership strategy, overseeing many relationships and programs across an array of partners such as, corporations, non-profits, educational institutions and anyone who has a desire to help us fulfill the mission of ending child sexual abuse.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see Darkness to Light leading the way in child sexual abuse prevention initiatives globally.
Pricing:
- Defiant Girl-$20
Contact Info:
- Address: 1064 Gardner Road
Suite 210
Charleston, SC 29407 - Website: D2L.org & Speakashleynicole.com
- Phone: 8439655444
- Email: adavis@d2l.org
- Instagram: @d2lorg & @speakashleynicole
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DarknessToLight/ & https://www.facebook.com/speakashleynicole/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Darkness2Light & https://twitter.com/SpeakAshNicole
Image Credit:
Forever Faith Photography
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